Cambodian parliament, pagoda targeted in bomb threats

Explosive experts prepare to explode a homemade bomb found in front of the National Assembly building in Phnom Penh.

AFP: Tang Chhin Sothy

Cambodian authorities have safely detonated a homemade bomb discovered near the country's parliament and removed grenades threatening a popular tourist site.

The bomb had been placed on a piece of grassland opposite the main gates of Cambodia's parliament building in Phnom Penh.

Explosives experts carried out a controlled explosion on the device shortly before 11am on Friday.

Authorities then sped across town to a popular park near Wat Phnom pagoda, where they removed three rocket-propelled grenades that had been left next to a bust of India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi.

The threats come amidst heightened political tensions following July's election, which both the main parties claim they won.

There is no indication as to who was behind the placements.

Later this week, Prime Minister Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy will meet Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni as he tries to forge an agreement between the two bitter rivals.

The opposition has promised to hold three days of protests at a park near Wat Phnom starting Sunday unless the ruling party agrees to an independent investigation into alleged widespread electoral fraud.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised its level of travel advice after the discovery of the devices and the expectation of protest activity.

It advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in Phnom Penh.